Tag: rest

Self Care

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Many days, in fact most days, I get out of bed after a quick “good morning” prayer to God and start my day frantically trying to rush through all the tasks that I have before me. Now that I am retired, I don’t have a set time to get up, but I still arise most mornings before six, take care of our cat, mix my flavored water and sit in my recliner to do my Bible devotional and my blood pressure. Some mornings, I have book reviews that are due so I work on posting those on social media. Then, I read the next book that is up for review, eat, take meds, etc. My day is not a busy one as many define busy, but it is busy enough for me that sometimes I get to the end of the day and find that I have not taken time just to be quiet, to relax and to wait to hear God’s voice.

Jesus called His disciples away to a quiet place, just to relax and eat and rest. Sometimes, I need to do that, too, and I’m certain that all of us do. We get so caught up in what has to be accomplished for the day that we forget to take time for self care. I know that I need to sometimes just take time to let myself relax, to not worry about online shopping that needs to be done or the reviews that are awaiting me, but just to be quiet and rest my mind and just be. Jesus thought self care was important, so I plan to take more time taking care of me. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t intend to be selfish or ignore needs, just to make sure that I take time to renew my spirit and to build up the energy I need so that I can better focus on what needs to be done and the priorities that I have to establish.

Self care is not being selfish, I don’t think. I believe that it is taking care of the vessel that God has given you to occupy until He takes you home to be with Him. Thus, I’m going to just set aside some time for me today and tomorrow and all of the other days that are coming. I need to just be with Jesus, rest and eat the spiritual food that He has set before me to nourish my soul. That is ultimately how my physical body will find renewal, too!

Have a wonderfully blessed day, but I strongly recommend some self-care be built into your busy schedule! Its an Rx from Jesus!

A Prayer for You and for Me

On By vickleaIn Scripture9 Comments

psalm.bible/psalm-20-1

Well, I have been in MD doing childcare for almost two weeks now. Unfortunately, this week I got sick, for the first time in over a year and a half. It started with the pre-schooler bringing home a cold from daycare and my body responded accordingly. Then, my asthma kicked in. So with nebulizer treatments, inhaler, OTC cold remedies and throat lozenges, I have been battling this thing since the beginning of this week. I finally called my doctor in Virginia yesterday and got her to send me a Medral pack of steroids to help break up the inflammation and hopefully calm the cough some. That being said, I am okay, but I must admit that I have been distressed. I want my husband to make me homemade soup, to rest in my own bed and to just be able to call my own physician if I need her. Oh, well…that’s not possible, so I am doing what is even better. I am calling on the God of Jacob to answer me in my distress and to heal me of this disease. I have seven more weeks here in MD and my days are very busy taking care of the four month old. God knows my needs and will meet me right where I am. My husband is coming up for a weekend visit next weekend and to celebrate his birthday with me. I have been too tired and ill to plan anything, but today is the day that I will set aside my physical weaknesses and do what needs to be done to take care of a plan for him and rest for me. Did I mention that I love the weekend? I’m “off duty” then so it’s great. I enjoy being with grandchildren, but I’m tired and God is calling me to rest and recuperate. So that is what my plan is for today.

May your day be blessed with answered prayers and the love of family and friends!

A Promise of Rest

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

www.bible.com/1171/mat.11.28.mev

We were never meant to carry the heavy burdens that life seems to heap on us daily. Jesus wants us to daily give Him our burdens and then to just rest. I confess that in this season of having a democratic socialist elected as President of our nation, the burden has been heavy. I have a whole page of “what ifs,” a list of my low expectations for this new President. Nevertheless, as someone once told me, “Nothing is going to happen today that God and I cannot handle together.” So, each day, I lay my burdens (worries) at the feet of the Lord and then go about my day, secure in the knowledge that He is with me. Thus, I am learning to feel the peace of God all day long. When I go to the physical therapist and he tells me that I will have to wear my stability boot at least a couple of more weeks, I feel peace. When I get home and the gutter is falling off the house, I point it out to my husband who says that he knows but he has to drill new holes, My first thoughts are that, like the new steps that we need, it will just not get done. But when I pause, God’s peace comes to me and I just let the whole thing rest with Him. You see, men break promises all the time. But God doesn’t. And when He promises rest, then we can and will receive it if we truly give Him the burdens. I pray that each of you will feel God’s presence today and know His rest, the rest that comes from trusting Him to take care of the big things and the small things in your life since He cares about all of the little details. Bless you, my friends, with a good day, a good weekend and a close relationship with the One who makes all things possible, even His rest always.